Imagine a street lined with bookstores that are filled with books and treasures of all kinds from the floors to the ceilings. This dream for book lovers is a reality in the Catskills. Readers of every age will enjoy a visit to Hobart Book Village, where the Main Street of Hobart, New York is filled with eight independent book shops.
This book village is the brain child of Don Dales. This local entrepreneur established the Hobart Book Village in 2005, where it has since grown to become a travel stop famous on social media. Even the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile has made a stop in this tiny village. Two major book sales are held during the Memorial Day and Thanksgiving weekends. While you can still score some great book bargains, these are also the most popular times to visit, with hundreds of book lovers descending on Hobart. Each of the eight shops is unique in its own way. See a short description of each below.
Book Shops in Hobart Book Village:
William H. Adams’ Antiquarian Books (602 Main Street) – The antiquarian bookstore sells “uncommon books at reasonable prices.” The three floors of the bookshop contain tons of books, many of which were printed prior to 1850! They have books on all different subjects, including a large collection of history, art, poetry and biographies.
Blenheim Hill Books (698 Main Street Suite A) – Blenheim Hill Books has the largest selection of children’s and young adult books. Many of these books are brand new and recently published. They specialize in poetry, women’s history and women’s studies. There are a handful of chairs throughout the shop to sit and relax in.
Creative Corner Books (607 Main Street) – If you have any interest in cookbooks and/or crafts, this is the store for you! Creative Corner Books has a large room filled with shelves of cookbooks, including vintage cookbooks, and craft books. Handmade gifts and housewares can also be purchased here.
Liberty Rock Books (698 Main Street) – This bookstore is the largest of them all, encompassing over 5,000 square feet. If you are a first time visitor, the shopkeeper at the front register will give you a quick overview of the space when you arrive. Beside the hundreds of used and rare books filling the store’s shelves, you can also peruse their consignment room.
LionEyesBooks (722 Main Street) – LionEyesBooks houses an eclectic collection of new and used art, philosophy, spirituality and psychology books. You’ll also find general fiction, children’s books and more among the shelves.
More Good Books (645 Main Street) – More Good Books has a small collection of fiction books. Many of their books are focused on railroads, automobiles, games and sports. Most of the books in this shop are overflows from Blenheim Hill Books and Williams H. Adams.
New York Books & Ephemera (615 Main Street) – Connected to Creative Corner Books, New York Books & Ephemera, as the name suggests, carries books all about New York. They sell new, used and vintage books on a variety of topics including history, geography, travel, memoirs and more. They also sell food products, gifts and other NY made products.
Quarry Books (645 Main Street) – This tiny, two room bookshop specializes in mysteries and science fiction books. The shop is not staffed and purchases are based on the honor system, with a money box and change box available.
Unfortunately, the only café in town, “The Coffee Pot”, was closed on the day of our visit. If you are looking to eat, you will have to travel to neighboring towns. Please check each store’s website for the most up-to-date hours. Most of the book shops are open on the weekends only from 11 AM to 5 PM until Memorial Day, when they start daily operating hours.
We stopped at Hobart Book Village before our stay at the Roxbury Motel in Roxbury, NY, which is a 25 minute drive away.
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